ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE
BY THE FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF JOYCE MEYER MINISTRIES.
JOYCE: IF YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE BITTER, RESENTFUL, ANGRY,
AND HATING PEOPLE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY
DID TO YOU, IT PRETTY MUCH DESTROYS YOUR LIFE.
[MUSIC]
JOYCE: UNFORGIVENESS ALSO HINDERS OUR FAITH FROM WORKING
IN PRAYER.
WELL, I MEAN JUST THESE ONE GROUP OF SCRIPTURES,
MARK 11:23 THROUGH 25, SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO URGE US
TO JUST GET ON OUR KNEES AND FORGIVE ANYONE.
AND YOU SAY, "WELL, I'VE TRIED.
I'VE TRIED AND I JUST CAN'T HELP HOW I FEEL."
YOU CAN'T HELP HOW YOU FEEL, BUT THE THING YOU GOTTA
UNDERSTAND ABOUT FORGIVENESS IS IT'S NOT A FEELING,
IT'S A DECISION.
YOU NOT ONLY DECIDE TO FORGIVE, YOU PRAY FOR GOD TO GIVE YOU
THE GRACE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.
YOU FOLLOW THAT UP BY PRAYING FOR THE PERSON.
AND I CAN TELL YOU GOD SHOWED ME A LONG TIME AGO, SOMEBODY
THAT YOU PRAY FOR REGULARLY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY MAD
AT THEM AND KEEP HATING THEM.
COME ON, YOU WEREN'T CONVINCED.
SOMEBODY YOU PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS, YOU
MAY START OUT ANGRY AT THEM, YOU MAY START OUT DOING IT IN FAITH,
BUT EVENTUALLY IF YOU CONTINUE, GOD WILL WORK SOMETHING
IN YOUR HEART AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAY ANGRY AT THEM.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE TRY TO FORGIVE, BUT THEY DON'T GO
TO THE NEXT STEP AND PRAY.
THEN THE NEXT STEP, AND THESE ARE ALL SCRIPTURAL,
FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES, PRAY FOR THEM, AND BLESS THEM.
YOU SAY, "WELL, I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE BLESSED."
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: WELL, I GET THAT.
I'VE TOLD GOD THAT.
YOU KNOW, "I'M GONNA PRAY THIS BY FAITH, BUT I'M HAVING
A HARD TIME WANTING YOU TO ACTUALLY BLESS THEM."
BUT HERE'S THE THING, AND GOD SPOKE THIS TO MY HEART,
WHEN YOU PRAY FOR GOD TO BLESS YOUR ENEMIES, IF IT'S SOMEBODY
THAT HAS TRULY WRONGED YOU, THE FIRST THING HE
WILL BLESS THEM WITH IS SEEING WHAT THEY DID AND COMING
TO A PLACE OF REPENTANCE.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: SO, WHEN WE PRAY FOR GOD TO BLESS SOMEBODY,
THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY PRAYING THAT THEY'LL HAVE MORE MONEY
OR THEY'LL GET A BETTER JOB.
WE'RE PRAYING THAT THEY WILL BE RESTORED TO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD,
THAT THEY WILL SEE WHAT THEY DID AND THEY'LL MAKE
LIFESTYLE CHANGES.
AND THEN LET ME JUST TAKE THIS ONE STEP FURTHER BECAUSE I
HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE VERY TRUE IN MY OWN LIFE.
THE NEXT THING THAT I WOULD DO, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD
FIT IN THE ENEMY CATEGORY, YOU FORGIVE THEM, YOU PRAY FOR THEM,
YOU PRAY FOR THEM TO BE BLESSED, AND IF THEY HAVE
A NEED--YES, YOU'RE SAYING, "NO, DON'T TELL ME, NO, NO, NO."
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: "NO, NO, NO, NO."
OH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
THEN YOU HELP 'EM.
OOH, PAINFUL.
YOU'RE LIKE, "WELL, WHY SHOULD I DO THAT?"
BECAUSE YOU'RE A CHILD OF GOD AND THAT'S WHAT HE DOES.
HE HELPS PEOPLE THAT DON'T DESERVE IT.
HE HELPS PEOPLE THAT HAVE IGNORED HIM THEIR WHOLE LIFE
AND THEN WHEN THEY NEED HELP, CRY OUT TO HIM, HE HELPS.
AND BESIDES THAT, IF SOMEBODY'S REALLY TREATED YOU BAD,
THEY KNOW THEY DID, AND THEY WILL BE TOTALLY SHOCKED
WHEN YOU'RE GOOD TO THEM.
AND WHAT IT DOES IS IT BREAKS THE HARDNESS OFF OF THEIR HEART
AND IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO KNOW CHRIST.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: "TRULY I TELL YOU, WHOEVER SAYS TO THIS MOUNTAIN,
BE LIFTED UP AND THROWN INTO THE SEA!
AND DOES NOT DOUBT AT ALL IN HIS HEART BUT BELIEVES
THAT WHAT HE SAYS WILL TAKE PLACE,
IT WILL BE DONE FOR HIM.
FOR THIS REASON I'M TELLING YOU, WHATEVER YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER,
BELIEVE (TRUST AND BE CONFIDENT) THAT IT IS GRANTED TO YOU,
AND YOU WILL [GET IT].
AND WHENEVER YOU STAND PRAYING, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST
ANYONE, FORGIVE HIM, LET IT DROP (LEAVE IT, LET IT GO), IN ORDER
THAT YOUR FATHER WHO'S IN HEAVEN MAY ALSO FORGIVE YOU YOUR [OWN]
FAILINGS AND SHORTCOMINGS AND LET THEM DROP."
SO, WHAT'S HE SAYING?
WHEN YOU PRAY THE PRAYER OF FAITH AND YOU DON'T DOUBT,
GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYER.
YOU BELIEVE AND THEN YOU WILL GET IT.
IT DOESN'T SAY YOU'LL GET IT RIGHT THAT MINUTE,
BUT YOU WILL GET IT.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOME PATIENCE INVOLVED WITH FAITH,
SOME WAITING, BUT WE CAN'T LEAVE OFF THAT LAST SECTION.
AND WHEN YOU'RE GONNA PRAY LIKE THIS, MAKE SURE
YOU'RE NOT MAD AT ANYBODY.
COME ON, MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT MAD AT ANYBODY.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT MAD AT ANYBODY.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: DOES ANYBODY NEED THIS MESSAGE TONIGHT?
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: NOW, ANOTHER PARABLE,
A COMPASSIONATE MASTER.
THE KING HAD COMPASSION FOR DAVID DEBT
THAT COULD NOT BE PAID.
MATTHEW 18:23 THROUGH 27, "THEREFORE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
IS LIKE A HUMAN KING WHO WISHED TO SETTLE ACCOUNTS
WITH HIS ATTENDANTS.
WHEN HE BEGAN THE ACCOUNTING, ONE WAS BROUGHT TO HIM WHO OWED
HIM 10,000 TALENTS [PROBABLY $10,000,000], AND BECAUSE HE
COULD NOT PAY--" THOSE ARE THE KEY WORDS
IN THIS VERSE, "HE COULD NOT PAY, HE WOULD NOT PAY,
HE COULD NOT PAY."
SEE, A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE HAVE HURT US, WE WANT THEM
TO PAY US BACK, BUT MANY TIMES THEY CAN'T GIVE YOU BACK
WHAT THEY TOOK.
MY FATHER SEXUALLY ABUSED ME, HE STOLE MY INNOCENCE,
HE STOLE MY CHILDHOOD.
HE COULD NEVER GIVE ME THAT BACK.
IT WAS GONE.
HE COULDN'T GET IT BACK TO ME, BUT GOD COULD MAKE ME CHILD-LIKE
IN MY 50S AND 60S.
SEE, GOD IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN PAY YOU BACK
FOR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DONE TO YOU, BUT HE WON'T IF YOU
KEEP HATING THEM, AMEN.
I NOT ONLY WANTED MY DAD TO PAY ME BACK, I TRIED TO MAKE EVERY
MAN IN THE WORLD PAY ME BACK.
I HAD AN ATTITUDE ABOUT MEN.
COME ON, LADIES.
SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN HURT BY A MAN AND NOW YOU HAVE
AN ATTITUDE TOWARD ALL MEN.
COME ON, I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE.
DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'RE NOT.
WELL, IT'S NOT EVEN FAIR TO TRY TO MAKE THEM PAY YOU
FOR SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY ELSE TOOK FROM YOU.
THEY CAN'T PAY YOU, ONLY GOD CAN PAY YOU.
STOP TRYING TO COLLECT FROM PEOPLE AND GO TO GOD.
"BECAUSE HE COULD NOT PAY, HIS MASTER ORDERED HIM
TO BE SOLD, WITH HIS WIFE AND HIS CHILDREN AND EVERYTHING
THAT HE POSSESSED, AND PAYMENT TO BE MADE.
SO THE ATTENDANT FELL DOWN ON HIS KNEES, BEGGING HIM,
HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME AND I'LL PAY YOU EVERYTHING.
AND HIS MASTER'S HEART WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION, AND HE RELEASED
HIM AND FORGAVE HIM [CANCELLING]
THE DEBT."
NOW, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL STORY, ISN'T IT?
AND THEN THERE'S SEVERAL VERSES THAT I CAN READ YOU ABOUT HOW
GOD IS SO MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS, AND GOD IS SO QUICK TO FORGIVE
AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THE THINGS THAT HE DOES FOR US.
BUT THEN THE STORY CONTINUES AND IT SAYS,
"BUT THAT SAME ATTENDANT," MATTHEW 18:28,
"BUT THAT SAME ATTENDANT, AS HE WENT OUT, FOUND
ONE OF HIS FELLOW ATTENDANTS WHO OWED HIM A HUNDRED DENARII
[ABOUT TWENTY DOLLARS]."
SO, HERE'S A GUY WHO'S BEEN FORGIVEN FOR $10 MILLION,
NOW HE FINDS A GUY THAT OWES HIM 20 BUCKS.
SO, HE'S MAKING A COMPARISON HERE, WHAT WE NEED TO FORGIVE
PEOPLE FOR, COMPARED TO WHAT I NEED TO FORGIVE YOU FOR,
THE LORD SAYS, IS LIKE $10 MILLION COMPARED TO $20.
"HE CAUGHT HIM BY THE THROAT AND SAID, PAY WHAT YOU OWE ME!
SO HIS FELLOW ATTENDANT FELL DOWN AND BEGGED HIM, GIVE ME
TIME, AND I'LL PAY YOU ALL!" NOW, I WANT YOU TO WATCH
THE DUMBNESS OF ANGER.
"BUT HE WAS UNWILLING, AND HE WENT OUT AND HAD HIM PUT
IN PRISON TILL HE SHOULD PAY THE DEBT."
I NEVER SAW THIS BEFORE, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I THOUGHT TODAY?
HE THREW THE GUY IN PRISON WHERE HE HAD NO HOPE OF MAKING ANY
MONEY OR WORKING, SO THEREFORE HE SAID, "I'M GONNA PUT YOU
IN PRISON TILL YOU PAY ME BACK," BUT THERE WAS NO WAY HE
COULD PAY HIM BACK AS LONG AS HE WAS IN THERE.
WOW, DOUBLE DUMB.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: "WHEN HIS FELLOW ATTENDANTS SAW WHAT
HAD HAPPENED, THEY WERE GREATLY DISTRESSED, AND THEY WENT
AND TOLD EVERYTHING THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
THEN HIS MASTER CALLED HIM AND SAID TO HIM,
'YOU CONTEMPTIBLE AND WICKED SERVANT.'"
WOW, DOES GOD THINK WE'RE CONTEMPTIBLE AND WICKED WHEN WE
REFUSE TO FORGIVE PEOPLE?
"I FORGAVE AND CANCELLED ALL OF YOUR DEBT BECAUSE YOU
ASKED ME TO.
AND SHOULD YOU NOT HAVE HAD PITY AND MERCY
ON YOUR FELLOW ATTENDANT, AS I HAD PITY AND MERCY ON YOU?"
COME ON, WE'RE HAVING A HARD TIME FORGIVING SOMEBODY.
THESE ARE SCRIPTURES THAT ARE GOOD.
THESE ARE GO-TO SCRIPTURES BECAUSE IF YOU
CAN'T CONVINCE YOURSELF, THE WORD WILL CONVINCE YOU.
THE WORD HAS INHERENT POWER IN IT AND YOU NEED TO KNOW
SCRIPTURES LIKE THIS OR HAVE BOOKS FULL OF SCRIPTURES
LIKE THIS WHERE YOU FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT AND IT'S
ONE OF OUR MAIN WEAPONS AGAINST THE DEVIL.
"AND IN WRATH HIS MASTER TURNED HIM OVER TO THE TORTURERS, TILL
HE SHOULD PAY ALL THAT HE OWED.
SO ALSO MY HEAVENLY FATHER WILL DEAL WITH EVERY ONE OF YOU
IF YOU DO NOT FREELY FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART
HIS OFFENSES."
SO, HE'S BASICALLY SAYING IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA FORGIVE,
YOU'RE GONNA BE THE ONE THAT'S GONNA END UP TORTURED.
AND HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW IF YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE BITTER,
RESENTFUL, ANGRY, AND HATING PEOPLE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING
THAT SOMEBODY DID TO YOU, IT PRETTY MUCH DESTROYS YOUR LIFE?
DOES ANYBODY KNOW THAT?
AND SOME OF YOU HAVE HAD SOME TERRIBLE THINGS DONE TO YOU,
BUT YOU HAVE CONTINUED TO LET THAT PERSON WHO HURT YOU, YOU
CONTINUE TO LET THEM HURT YOU OVER AND OVER AND OVER
AND OVER AGAIN ALL THESE YEARS, AND I'M TELLING YOU, TONIGHT
IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO BE FREE.
TONIGHT IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO MAKE A DECISION
TO LET IT GO, GIVE IT TO GOD.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: MAKE A DECISION, PRAY FOR THEM, BLESS THEM,
AND IF YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY, YOU SAY, "WELL, I JUST DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THE HELPING THING.
I JUST DON'T KNOW IF I CAN DO THAT."
WELL, I'M SURE IF YOU WATCH MY PROGRAM MUCH, YOU'VE HEARD
MY STORY ABOUT MY DAD, BUT I'M JUST GONNA REAL QUICK,
QUICK, QUICK TELL YOU.
MY DAD ABUSED ME FOR PROBABLY 15 YEARS,
HUNDREDS OF TIMES.
MY MOTHER KNEW HE WAS DOING IT AND JUST WOULDN'T DEAL WITH
BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID THAT SHE COULDN'T TAKE CARE OF ME
AND MY BROTHER.
SHE WAS AFRAID OF THE SCANDAL, AFRAID, AFRAID, AFRAID.
AND HER FEAR NOT ONLY ATTEMPTED TO RUIN MY LIFE,
IT DID RUIN MY BROTHER'S LIFE, AND IT RUINED HER LIFE.
SHE NEVER HAD A LIFE.
IT'S FUNNY TO ME THAT SHE HAD THE COURAGE TO STAY WITH A MAN
THAT BEAT HER, ABUSED HER, AND RAN AROUND WITH OTHER WOMEN
BUT DID NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO WALK AWAY FROM HIM.
I'LL JUST NEVER QUITE UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT WHEN MY PARENTS GOT OLDER,
I DIDN'T--YOU KNOW, I TRIED NOT TO HAVE ANY MORE TO DO
WITH HIM THAN I HAD TO DO.
I HAD PRAYED THE OFFICIAL "I FORGIVE YOU" PRAYER.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: WELL, I'VE FORGIVEN HIM, BUT I'LL TELL YA, I SAW HIM
ON HOLIDAYS, AND I GOT OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS I COULD.
AND THEN GOD PUT IT ON MY HEART WHEN THEY GOT OLDER THAT WE WERE
TO BRING THEM TO ST. LOUIS WHERE LIVED 'CAUSE THEY LIVED ABOUT
TWO AND A HALF HOURS AWAY.
BUY THEM A HOUSE, TAKE CARE OF 'EM, MAKE SURE THEY HAD
WHAT THEY NEEDED, GET THEM TO THEIR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS,
PAY SOMEBODY TO CUT THE GRASS, HELP THEM GET THEIR GROCERIES,
ON AND ON AND ON.
WELL, TO BE HONEST, THEY WERE OLD AND I THOUGHT,
WELL, I MEAN, FIRST I SAID, "NO, I REBUKE THE DEVIL"
AT FIRST, I SAID, THAT'S NOT--
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: I MEAN, I HONESTLY SAID THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S GOD.
IT CANNOT BE GOD.
IT CANNOT.
I MEAN, I DID NOT WANT TO DO IT, BUT WE DID IT, LONG STORY.
FIFTEEN YEARS, I TOOK CARE OF THEM, THEN THEY WENT
TO ASSISTED LIVING, WHICH WE PAID FOR 'CAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE
ANY MONEY.
THEN THEY WENT TO NURSING HOME, WHICH WE PAID FOR 'CAUSE THEY
DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY.
I'M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO RELATE.
BUT GOD GAVE ME THE GRACE TO DO IT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, AMEN?
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: OKAY, WELL I'M GONNA LEAVE THAT THERE, AND I'M GONNA
GO ON WITH THIS AND THEN I'M GONNA CONNECT THE DOTS
IN THIS LAST STORY HERE.
LOVE AND FORGIVENESS ARE INSEPARABLE.
LUKE 7:36, "ONE OF THE PHARISEES ASKED JESUS TO DINE WITH HIM,
AND HE WENT INTO THE PHARISEE'S HOUSE AND RECLINED AT TABLE."
NOW, THAT WOULD BE LIKE US SITTING DOWN AT TABLE ONLY THEY
ACTUALLY KIND OF RECLINED AT TABLE.
THEY HAD LONG BENCHES, COUCH-LIKE THINGS, AND THEY
WOULD KIND OF PROP THEMSELVES UP ON ONE ARM AND EAT.
SO, HERE WE HAVE THIS BIG DINNER GOING ON.
NOW, "BEHOLD, A WOMAN OF THE TOWN WHO WAS
AN ESPECIALLY WICKED SINNER, WHEN SHE LEARNED THAT HE
WAS RECLINING AT TABLE AT THE PHARISEE'S HOUSE,
SHE BROUGHT AN ALABASTER FLASK OF OINTMENT."
AND IT'S NOT IN THIS, THESE PARTICULAR VERSES,
BUT ANOTHER VERSE SAYS, "SHE BROKE THE ALABASTER JAR
AND POURED OUT THE PERFUME."
CAN I TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF SWEET STUFF
ON THE INSIDE OF YOU, BUT THE FLESH HAS TO BE
BROKEN?
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: SELF-WILL HAS TO BE BROKEN, AMEN?
SELFISHNESS HAS TO BE BROKEN.
"AND THEN STANDING BEHIND HIM AT HIS FEET, SHE BEGAN WEEPING,
AND SHE WAS CRYING PROFUSELY, SO MUCH THAT SHE WET HIS FEET
WITH [HER] TEARS; AND SHE WIPED THEM WITH THE HAIR OF HER HEAD
AND KISSED HIS FEET [AFFECTIONATELY]
AND ANOINTED THEM WITH THE (PERFUME]"
NOW, CAN YOU IMAGINE A SCENE
LIKE THAT?
I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL, SHE WAS NOT ONLY JUST A WOMAN, SHE
WAS AN ESPECIALLY WICKED WOMAN.
SO, WHEN THIS WOMAN CAME IN, THAT WAS BAD ENOUGH
THAT SHE CAME IN.
"UGH." THE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, "UGH."
WELL, WE'RE STILL THE SAME WAY.
WE PRAY FOR REVIVAL AND IF WE HAD ONE, WE WOULD HAVE A FIT.
WE WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD COME
TO BE REVIVED BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T SMELL NICE.
THEY WOULDN'T LOOK LIKE YOU.
THEY WOULDN'T ACT LIKE YOU.
AND WE WOULD GO, "UGH," AND THEN PRAY FOR REVIVAL AGAIN NEXT WEEK
AT PRAYER MEETING, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER MESSAGE.
AND SO, WHEN SHE WENT AND TOUCHED JESUS, AND HE LET
HER KNOWING WHAT HER OCCUPATION WAS, AND VERY POSSIBLY
THAT PERFUME THAT SHE POURED ON HIM WAS EARNED WITH MONEY
FROM HER OCCUPATION, THEN SHE LETS HER HAIR DOWN
AND BEGINS TO WIPE HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR.
NOW, IN THAT CULTURE, A WOMAN DID NOT LET HER HAIR DOWN,
AND IF SHE LET HER HAIR DOWN IN FRONT OF ANOTHER WOMAN,
IT WAS GROUNDS FOR HER HUSBAND TO DIVORCE HER BECAUSE IT
WAS SEEN AS A VERY LEWD SEXUAL ACT TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN
IN PUBLIC.
SO, THIS WOMAN IS JUST, SHE'S GONE.
SHE IS SO EXCITED ABOUT JESUS, SHE DOESN'T CARE
WHAT ANYBODY THINKS.
SHE LETS THE HAIR DOWN, SHE CRIES.
SHE KISSES HIS FEET.
SHE BREAKS HER OIL.
SHE POURS IT ON HIM.
SHE DIDN'T CARE WHAT THEY THOUGHT.
SHE DIDN'T CARE WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.
YOU KNOW WHY? SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH JESUS.
"NOW WHEN THE PHARISEES," VERSE 39, "WHO HAD INVITED HIM
SAW THIS, HE SAID TO HIMSELF, IF THIS MAN WERE A PROPHET,
HE WOULD SURELY KNOW WHO AND WHAT SORT OF WOMAN THIS IS
WHO'S TOUCHING HIM FOR SHE IS A NOTORIOUS SINNER
(A SOCIAL OUTCAST, DEVOTED TO SIN]"
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, THE FUNNY THING WAS IS
JESUS PREFERRED HER COMPANY OVER THE RELIGIOUS PHARISEES.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: SHE SEEMED OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTION.
SHE DOESN'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK.
NEXT VERSE, THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS, BUT IT'S
RIGHT ON THE HEEL OF THIS ONE.
"AND JESUS, REPLYING, SAID TO HIM, 'SIMON,
I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU.' AND HE ANSWERED, 'TEACHER,
SAY IT.'" NOW, IF JESUS IS SAYING
SOMETHING TO SIMON, HE'S SAYING IT TO US HERE TONIGHT.
"'A CERTAIN LENDER OF MONEY HAD TWO DEBTORS: ONE OWED HIM
A HUNDRED DENARII, AND THE OTHER FIFTY.
WHEN THEY HAD NO MEANS OF PAYING, HE FREELY FORGAVE
THEM BOTH.
NOW WHICH OF THEM WILL LOVE HIM MORE?'
AND SIMON SAID, 'WELL, THE ONE, I GUESS, FOR WHOM HE FORGAVE
AND CANCELLED MORE.' AND JESUS SAID TO HIM,
'YOU'VE DECIDED CORRECTLY.' THEN TURNING TOWARD THE WOMAN--"
GET A PICTURE OF THIS SCENE, "THEN TURNING TOWARD THE WOMAN,
HE SAID TO SIMON, 'DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN?
WHEN I CAME INTO YOUR HOUSE, YOU GAVE ME NO WATER FOR MY FEET--'"
WHICH WAS AN INSULT IN THOSE DAYS BECAUSE THEY WORE
SANDALS, THE ROADS WERE NOT PAVED, AND THAT WAS
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALWAYS DID FOR A GUEST
AND ESPECIALLY ONE THAT YOU HONORED WAS YOU HAD SOMEBODY
WASH THEIR FEET.
HE DIDN'T EVEN OFFER HIM ANY WATER.
"BUT SHE HAS WET MY FEET WITH HER TEARS AND WIPED THEM
WITH HER HAIR.
YOU GAVE ME NO KISS, BUT THIS WOMAN FROM THE MOMENT
I CAME IN HAS NOT CEASED [INTERMITTENTLY] TO KISS
MY FEET.
YOU DIDN'T ANOINT MY HEAD WITH EVEN A [CHEAP,
ORDINARY] OIL--" WHICH THEY DID BACK THEN
BECAUSE OF HOW HOT IT WAS AND IT WAS REFRESHING.
"BUT SHE HAS ANOINTED MY FEET WITH A [COSTLY,
AND A RARE] PERFUME.
THEREFORE I TELL YOU, HER SINS, ARE MANY, AND MANY [AS THEY
ARE], THEY ARE FORGIVEN HER."
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: "BECAUSE SHE HAS LOVED MUCH.
BUT HE WHO IS FORGIVEN LITTLE LOVES LITTLE.
AND HE LOOKED AT THE WOMAN AND SAID, YOUR SINS
ARE FORGIVEN!
THEN THOSE WHO WERE AT TABLE WITH HIM BEGAN TO SAY
AMONG THEMSELVES, WHO IS THIS WHO EVEN FORGIVES SINS?
JESUS SAID TO THE WOMAN, YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU;
GO IN PEACE [FROM ALL THE DISTRESSES
THAT ARE EXPERIENCED AS THE RESULT OF SIN]."
OKAY, IF TWO DEBTORS ARE FORGIVEN, ONE IS FORGIVEN
MUCH MORE THAN THE OTHER, WHO'S GONNA LOVE THE MOST?
WELL, JESUS IS MAKING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LOVE
AND FORGIVENESS, AND I WANT TO PRESENT IT TO YOU THIS WAY,
THE MORE GOD FORGIVES US FOR, THE MORE WE SHOULD LOVE HIM.
AND I THINK ANYBODY WHO'S HAVING A HARD TIME REALLY FALLING
IN LOVE WITH JESUS, THEN YOU HAVE NOT REALLY REALIZED
WHAT YOU WERE LIKE MAYBE BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO BUSY JUDGING
EVERYBODY ELSE.
HE'S TELLING--HE'S PUTTING THIS IN THE CONTEXT.
HE'S TRYING TO TEACH A LESSON ABOUT US FORGIVING OTHER PEOPLE.
ALL OF THOSE PARABLES ARE THERE, NOT JUST TO TELL NICE STORIES,
SO WE SEE THAT WE NEED TO FORGIVE PEOPLE BECAUSE HE
FORGIVES PEOPLE.
AND HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS, NOW LISTEN TO ME, WHEN SOMEBODY HAS
REALLY MISTREATED YOU AND YOU MAKE THAT DECISION TO FORGIVE
THEM, TO PRAY FOR THEM, TO BLESS THEM, AND TO EVEN BE WILLING
TO HELP THEM, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT GOT PUTS
IN FRONT OF YOU, THEY FEEL THE LOVE OF GOD THROUGH YOU.
MY FATHER WAS AS MEAN AS ANY HUMAN BEING COULD BE,
DIDN'T CARE THING ABOUT HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD,
MADE FUN OF PEOPLE WHO WENT TO CHURCH AND HAD ANY KIND
OF RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
BUT THREE YEARS AFTER BUYING HIM THAT HOUSE, TAKING CARE OF THEM,
MY MOTHER CALLED ONE DAY AND SHE SAID, "YOUR FATHER'S BEEN CRYING
FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
HE WANTS YOU TO COME OVER."
NOW, NEVER HAD MY FATHER EVER APOLOGIZED TO ME.
HE HAD NEVER ADMITTED WHAT HE'D DONE.
HE HAD NEVER TAKEN ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT
AND WHEN I CAME IN THE HOUSE, OF COURSE, BY THEN HE'S
REALLY CRIPPLED UP AND HE'S JUST MOVING AROUND.
HE'S CRYING AND HE SAID, "I WANT
TO TELL YOU THAT I'M SORRY FOR WHAT I DID TO YOU WHEN YOU
WERE A LITTLE GIRL."
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: NOW, HE APOLOGIZED TO DAVE.
HE SAID, "MOST MEN WOULD HAVE KILLED ME, ALL YOU'VE EVER DONE
IS LOVE ME."
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: SEE, PEOPLE CAN'T-- LET ME TELL YA SOMETHING,
YOU WANT TO DO SOME HEAVY DUTY EVANGELISM?
YOU START FORGIVING THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HURT YOU THE MOST.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: INSTEAD OF BEING MAD AT THEM BECAUSE THEY
WOULDN'T LOVE GOD LIKE YOU DO AND SERVE GOD LIKE YOU DO.
AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT NOT STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF.
I'M TRYING TO SHOW YOU A SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE HERE.
I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED TO BE SAVED, PRAYED THE PRAYER
OF SALVATION WITH HIM.
HE ASKED IF I WOULD BAPTIZE HIM.
TEN DAYS LATER, I BAPTIZED HIM.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: WHEN HE CAME UP OUT OF THE BAPTISMAL FOUNT,
WE TOOK HIM TO-- WE GOT A LITTLE CHURCH
IN THE INNER CITY CALLED THE ST. LOUIS DREAM CENTER
THAT WE STARTED ABOUT 16, 17 YEARS AGO,
AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE DID THE BAPTISM.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE BAPTISMAL FOUNT,
I SAW SOMETHING THAT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD EVER SEE
IN MY WHOLE LIFE.
HE'S HOBBLING, "PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD."
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: HOW ARE LOST PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO FEEL THE LOVE OF GOD
IF IT DOESN'T COME THROUGH US?
JOYCE: WELL, LET'S GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY
TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY SAY, "IT IS
ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OFFEND ME."
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE STAY ANGRY, WE'RE GIVING THE ENEMY
AN ENTRANCE INTO OUR LIVES.
REMEMBER, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY ANGRY WITH SOMEONE
THAT YOU PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.
TODAY, WE'RE OFFERING YOU THE "FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"
ACTION PLAN.
IT INCLUDES CDS, DVDS, PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE,
IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE AS A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD.
I REALLY WANT YOU TO PRAY ABOUT GETTING THESE TEACHINGS
AND REALLY GROW IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.
AND I'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY
I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU RIGHT AFTER THIS.
ANNOUNCER: RECEIVE THE "FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"
ACTION PLAN TODAY AND ALLOW GOD TO HELP YOU
DEVELOP YOUR LOVE WALK, SELF-CONTROL, PEACE, JOY,
AND MORE.
JOYCE: GOD WILL USE YOU IN PEOPLE'S LIVES
IN AN AMAZING WAY IF YOU WILL JUST LEARN HOW TO GET OUT
IN THE WORLD AND WALK IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT A NORMAL PERSON CAN DO.
ANNOUNCER: YOUR ACTION KIT INCLUDES A DVD, SEVEN CDS,
AND A BOOKLET.
IT'S AVAILABLE TODAY FOR YOUR OFFER OF...OR MORE.
CALL US TOLL FREE...OR VISIT US AT JOYCEMEYER.ORG.
JOYCE: I REALLY HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU NOT ONLY ENJOY
THE TV PROGRAM THAT YOU WATCH, HOPEFULLY EVERY DAY,
BUT THAT IT'S REALLY MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE
SPIRITUALLY.
I HOPE THAT IT--HOPE IT GIVES YOU HOPE AND THAT YOU FEEL LIKE
THAT YOU'RE GROWING SPIRITUALLY.
I DO WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT BEING ON TELEVISION
DOES COST A LOT OF MONEY AND WE NEED YOUR HELP IN KEEPING
THE PROGRAMS ON AS WELL AS REACHING OUT TO NEW PEOPLE.
SO, I'M ASKING YOU TODAY IF YOU'LL SEND IN A SPECIAL GIFT
JUST DESIGNATED FOR TV MINISTRY AND THAT WILL HELP US
WITH THE AIRTIME FOR ALL THE PROGRAMS
THAT ARE AIRED AROUND THE WORLD IN OVER 90 LANGUAGES.
A LOT OF WORD GOING OUT AND WE NEED A LOT OF PEOPLE
TO GET INVOLVED IN HELPING MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I REALLY BELIEVE WHEN YOU'RE BENEFITING FROM SOMETHING
AND YOU GIVE BACK INTO THAT, THEN WHAT YOU GET OUT OF IT IS
MULTIPLIED MANY TIMES OVER.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND I BELIEVE THAT YOU'LL DO
THE BEST THAT YOU CAN.
GOD BLESS YOU.
JOYCE: IS THERE ANYBODY THAT'S BOLD ENOUGH TO SAY,
"I DON'T WANNA LIVE A LIFE THAT I'M JUST PUTTING UP WITH"?
YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE A GOOD START, BUT YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD FINISH.
BUT A LOT OF IT IS UP TO YOU.
JOYCE: DO YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR LIFE, OR ARE YOU
JUST KIND OF PUTTING UP WITH IT, GOING THROUGH
THE MOTIONS DAY AFTER DAY?
YOU KNOW WHAT?
IF YOU ARE, I CAN HELP YOU.
I'VE WRITTEN A BOOK CALLED "LIVING A LIFE THAT YOU LOVE,"
AND WITH GOD'S HELP, YOU CAN LEARN TO DO THAT.
ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY.
[MUSIC]
NAOMI: THEY LOOK SAD AND GET DOWNHEARTED AND THEN THEY LOOK
AT YOU--MAKE EYE CONTACT AND YOU SMILE, AND THEY READ THAT SMILE
AND THEN THEY START SMILING.
AND THEN THE KIDS ALL RUN TO YOU AND THEY SMILE.
WHEN YOU REALLY EXPERIENCE THAT, YOU JUST--YOU WOULD--
YOU'RE HOOKED.
ANNOUNCER: WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED TODAY'S PROGRAM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT JOYCEMEYER.ORG.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE
BY THE FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF JOYCE MEYER MINISTRIES.
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